After a mediocre 2010-2011 season, the boys wrestling team is looking to finish on top this year. The team, which ended last season with a 5-7 record, expects more success this year with a more experienced team and a new coach, Timothy Lowe.

The team won its first match of the season handily against Northwood Dec. 7.

“We’re going to do a lot better,” senior Peter Heilbron said. “We have a lot of guys coming back, so more experience on our lineup.”

Sophomore Hunter Sutton is one of the wrestlers returning with more experience. After winning state championships last season, he hopes to repeat the feat again this year.

“Last year, we were young,” Sutton said. “We had a lot of first year wrestlers. It seems like the first years stepped it up and have gotten better.”

The team also lost only two seniors, allowing for the bulk of its talent to be preserved.

Sutton and Heilbron also expect the new coach to make a difference, and are looking forward to the change.

“I think he’s making a difference,” Sutton said. “He’s a two-time state champ in high school so he helps out.”

Sutton also feels that that the team element is important and will have an impact this season.

“It seems like our team is more serious than last year,” Sutton said. “Hopefully we will be the top team in the county. We have a good chance.”